Sleeping Hamster?

Question

Hi, my hamster that I got sometime in March is constantly sleeping. This is my second hamster. My first hamster would wake up around 7 and go to sleep around 8. This hamster is sleeping all of the time. I went down to check him at midnight and he was still sleeping. Is this normal or is my hamster sick?

I don't notice him awake at all lately.

When he is awake he isn't very energetic.

Also, if it helps he doesn't eat or drink as much as my first hamster.

Is there something wrong with my hamster??

Answer 1

I reallly think that it would be best to take it to the vet that doesnt sound to good...

Answer 2

Most hamsters are active at night, around 7pm they will start and run up through midnight. This is when they will be eating and drinking. You may not notice it as much during the day. This hamster may be older than the first one, so he is slower about things. Hamsters don't have a very long life span. Let him roll in a ball and run in his wheel as much as possible. If he's not very energetic, I would say its due to his age.

Answer 3

it sounds like hes sick. if you care about him enough take him to the vet. if not then let it go on and when he dies just get a new one for like 10 bucks. im not trying to be cold... just honest. if your hamster is worth a 100 dollar vet bill then go for it.

Answer 4

Hamsters sleep a lot but when awake they are very curious and playful, but each hamster behaves differently so you cannot compare one to another. I currently have two dwarf hamsters and they are as different as chalk and cheese though they are from the same litter. One is very alert and active and responds to my voice very well, she wakes up in the evening and is active until early morning, loves exploring tunnels but hates to get on the exercise wheel. The other one is lethargic and sleeps heavily, no response to voices and disturbances and has a different pattern of activity - she wakes up for half an hour for every 2 hours of sleep and when she is awake she is furiously using the exercise wheel.

Does your hamster look fine otherwise -  is he dull looking, hunched up, or his coat is not glossy etc? Is his p**p OK?  If he has watery p**p, he might be having diarrhea? If you gently feel his abdomen - is there any sign of lumps/tumors etc?

Providing there are no obvious signs of ill health, then he might just be a lazy hamster! Male syrians are the worst when it comes to laziness.

Sometimes when hamsters are not handled for a few days, they can become lazy and lethargic. If you have got him from a pet shop where they do not provide much activities for hamsters, then he could have developed a habit of sleeping all the time. Since he sleeps all the time, he does not eat much or drink much since there is no activity for which he uses energy.

Here are certain things you can do to break his lazy habits -

Try to handle him with your hand when he is awake, if he bites use gloves, and play with him. You can put him in the exercise ball and encourage him by giving him his favourite treats. Of course he might just decide to curl up and sleep in it!  

Has he got a wheel to run in his cage?  If so, make sure it is the right size, some of the small wheels that come in cages are too small for fully grown Syrians and it hurts to run in them, so they give up.  Also, make sure it is a solid wheel - i.e. not one with spokes where the hamsters can get their feet caught up and injure themselves.

Have you got an area of your house that is hamster proof?  Such as hall way or a corridor. When I had a lazy hamster before, I used to get him out and sit with him in the hall for a while in the evening.  Block any gaps under doors and furniture so he cannot escape and let him explore (under close supervision ONLY). I've never come a cross a hamster yet who doesn't like to have a wander round, smelling everything!

If all of this fails and your hamster is still lethargic, then take him to a vet to find out if he has got any sickness not visible on his body.

Answer 5

Hamsters are supposed to be nocturnal. THe hamster your having now looks more normal than the one you used to have. Your hamste isn't sick. Hamsters are like this, they sleep in the day and wake in the night. So if you constantly hear the wheel turning when it's all dark and the lights are turned off, it's your hamster. They don't have great eyes to check when it's night outside the window! they tell the time according to the light! So if you have the lights turned on at 2 in the morning, it's sleeping! Cuz it still thinks it's day. BUt if you still suspect that this is wrong, go to the vet.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

hey my hampster did that when he was old. like sleeping and not moving much. it'd super lazy? i dunno i think u should get him checked out 4 sure

Answer 7

Hamsters are nocturnal, so be sure to turn off all the lights in the room.

I'm a night owl, so hamsters are good pets for me.  They usually wake up around two and play for about six hours.  I noticed they're up mid-afternoon for about an hour.

All hamsters are different and different breeds vary.

You might try getting him a playmate.  He may just be bored.

Make sure you have a variety of food options and a hamster wheel is a must.

Answer 8

yes there is. Get him a check up, hamsters are energetic at night and if hes lazy all the time that isnt good.